If you want to poach Brook Lopez away from the Brooklyn Nets, you will have to pay a steep asking price, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

Stein is reporting that Brooklyn, who has the worst win-loss record in the NBA so far this season at 8-27, is seeking two first round picks in any potential Lopez trade:

Word is that two first-round picks is the Nets’ current asking price for center Brook Lopez.

It’s likely that Brooklyn is seeking two first rounders in-exchange for Lopez largely in-part due to the fact that they won’t own their first round pick until the 2019 NBA Draft. This season, the Boston Celtics once again will have their pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, due to the Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry trade.

Under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, the ability to draft young players and sign them to the rookie scale-level contract will be as valuable as ever, and you can see why a team like Brooklyn needs the ability to due that, given the lack of highly-regarded young talent on their roster.

Lopez is in the second year of a three-year contract, $63.5 million contract he signed back in July 2015. He is earning a base salary of $22.1 million this season, and will earn $22.6 million in 2017-2018.

The 28-year-old Lopez, who will turn 29 this season, is averaging 19.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game this season.

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